LEARN HOW TO DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE

Proclamation:

“Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached The Word of The Lord and see how they are doing.’  Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.  Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of The Lord.  He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”  Acts 15:36-41 (NIV)

Explanation:

When Barnabas and Paul left Antioch to begin their first Holy Spirit directed missionary journey John Mark was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:1-5)  However, when they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13)  It is not recorded why Mark left them but it is clear that Paul felt that he deserted them and did not want to take him on another journey.  The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over Mark was so sharp until they parted company and went in different directions.  They did not split the church in Antioch where they were like “co-pastors”.  They both continued to do the work of The Lord but with different travelling companions for their second missionary journey.

Application:

Unfortunately, from time to time believers will disagree with one another, and so do men of God.  The Christ-like way to handle such things is to disagree without being disagreeable.  Do not tear apart the church because of human differences and disagreements.  There is plenty of work for all of us to do in different venues.